Well I made it home to Ireland for Xmas. It was a last minute decision and I paid the price for it. The flights were very expensive and I had to take a day time flight

5 minutes into the flight I felt some rumblings in my stomach and that was the start of the flight from hell. I was very sick all through the flight and made frequent trips to the toilet. Vomitting, diarhea with sweats and chills – all seemingly at the same time.

When I finally arrived in Frankfurt airport I had a 3 hour stopover. My flight wasnt posted on the screens yet but with 2 hours to go the screen said gate C. Off I went to gate C but there was no number so I just hung around waiting for the announcement. With one hour to go it still wasnt up on the screen and finally when I went back to the screen it said gate C8. When I made it to the gate the flight had left. I went mad and asked why they didnt announce the flight. The girl at the gate said they werent obliged to announce the flight but surely that would have been easier than having to take my bags off the flight!!!

Anyway, the service staff were useless and offered little or no help. Sure, I wasnt the happiest person in the world but they just didnt give a damn. I cant figure out why they dont display the full gate number on the screens.

The next day it was the same problem. Lufthansa and Frankfurt airport were a complete disaster and I will not be flying with them or through that airport again (except for the dreaded return flight).

I had to stay in a hotel overnight and arrived in Dublin on the Friday afternoon. It was very cold but I was just happy to have finally arrived.THat evening was pretty easy and I was just trying to recover from the food poisoning.

We headed down to Kerry on the Saturday which was a long drive. The roads are much better but it is still a good 5 hour drive.

Xmas in Kerry was great and there was a few pints of Guinness downed during the few days. THe pubs were packed and there is definitely a lot of money around. Went for a few walks to Rossbeigh beach which is still spectacular. If the climate was better it would be one of the best beaches in the world.

Homecooking was high on the agenda and it was all very tasty. I miss the homecooked roasts and the lamb is fantastic.

Made it back to Dublin on the Wednesday and headed to an Indian restaurant for Denis’s birthday. There was a great crowd there – 18 plus – and the crack was mighty. I hadnt seen a lot of these people for a long time so it was nice to catch up.

Denis, Amela and Evan have headed off to Sarajevo for the New Year and I am left in Glenageary on my own. Actually it suits me fine as I have plenty to organise including my visa, tax and i suppose I will have to find a job too!

Actually, finding work should not be too difficult but they key is to get a job that I will be happy with. I think I will do some contracting work first to ease me back into things and try to climatise! I am not even sure where I will be staying.

I will be back in Thailand on January 6th and I am already looking forward to the tropical climate.